Situated at a height of approximately 3584 m above sea-level, Kedarnath is widely known to be one of the purest memorials created in honor of Lord Shiva. The most secluded of the Char Dhams or four great pilgrim centres, and perhaps consequently uniquely beautiful, Kedarnath stays closed during the winters due to intolerable weather and massive snowfall. The temple town is a great haunt for tourists, along with nearby lakes and peaks and meadows serving as hotspots for sightseeing. Here are our top picks for the best tourist places to visit in and around Kedarnath.

Nestled in the Garhwal Himalayan Range in Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand, it is a highly admired and blessed Hindu temple. At 3,583 m, it is the uppermost amongst the 12 Jyotirlingas and is built in honour of Lord Shiva. The hypnotic sights of Himalayas nearby, the unique weather and topography, give it an almost euphoric feeling. The historic value and spiritual energy of the devotees make for some of the major reasons to visit Kedarnath Temple.

A lake situated at 4135 m above sea level, Vasuki Tal promises jaw-dropping views of the neighbouring Chaukhamba peaks. The journey to this Tal is an absolute joy for trekkers. The Chaturangi and Vasuki Glaciers also show up on the road to the Tal. Visitors can see the Brahma Kamal and other Himalayan florae flourishing about the calm lake, creating a peaceful vibration in the area.

Shankaracharya Samadhi, the burial chamber of Adi Guru Shankaracharya, is one of the highly visited tourist spots in the area. It can be found behind the Kedarnath Temple. Currently, there is a hot spring here that is said to have been created by Shankara himself, to reduce the woes faced by his disciples due to the extreme weather conditions.

20 km from Rudraprayag, Agastyamuni is a very famous religious destination in Uttarakhand. Nestled at 1000 m above sea-level, it is situated along the bank of the lovely Mandakini River. Popular for the temple named after Sage Agastya, it is believed that he mediated here for a year. Tourists also indulge in fishing on the banks of the Mandakini River.

Located 4000 metres above sea-level, the name Chandrashila means ‘Moon Rock’. It is the peak of Chandranath Parvat, where the Tungnath Temple of Panch Kedar is positioned. The royal Chandrashila peak functions as a lookout that offers stunning panoramic views of the Greater Himalayas.

1829 metres above sea-level, it is the spot where Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati were wedded. Bordered by Mother Nature’s abundance and magnificent snowy mountaintops, this is also where the River Mandakini encounters River Basuki, making for a beautiful tourist destination.

Positioned 3 km after the sacred caverns of Vaishno Devi, Bhairavnath Temple is devoted to Baba Bhairavnath, built at the location where he took his final breath. Located in the Bhairav Ghati, the path to the shrine is dangerous. The landscape surrounding the temple is charming and makes for a worthwhile journey.

Gaurikund is the beginning of the 16 km hike to the holy memorial of Kedarnath. It is located at an altitude of 1,982 metres above sea level. It is named after Parvati, the wife of Lord Shiva. It is surrounded by lush green forests and enjoys gorgeous views. It is one of the top tourist spots in the area and a focal point for the Char Dham journey.